COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, May 11, 2026
QUESTION NO. 12
QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin
To ask the Chief Executive if the number of Dog Wardens he employs should be commensurate with the number of pet dogs in the county?
REPLY:
The number of Dog Warden positions has recently been increased from two to four. Funding for local authorities to enhance dog warden services beginning in 2025 was announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government and Planning. South Dublin County Council received an allocation of €100,000 to support the recruitment of additional Dog Wardens.
This funding addresses rising demands related to dog control and aims to ensure adequate resources are available for implementing the Control of Dogs XL bully regulations introduced in late 2024.
The Dog Warden's role is the enforcement of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 as amended. This includes:
- responding to complaints relating to dogs not under effectual control and/or dangerous dogs
- carrying out of licence checks and the initiation of enforcement proceedings where possible
- seizure and collection of unwanted/stray dogs and removal to the dog shelter.
The Dog Wardens can be contacted on 01 414 9213.
Administrative support for the Dog Warden Service is also provided and includes:
- dealing with complaints and queries from and referring to the Dog Warden where appropriate
- providing general advice to the public in relation to licencing, barking dogs
- following up on unpaid fines, and preparing files for prosecutions where appropriate
- reconciling and maintaining dog licence records
Dog Shelter facilities are provided under contract with Midland Animal Care Ltd., are located at Dublin County Dog Shelter, Lyons Road, Newcastle, Co. Dublin.
SDCC conducts ongoing evaluations of the Dog Warden service to ensure that resources are allocated effectively according to operational needs, rather than relying exclusively on estimated dog population data.